AMLO and Vila to tour Mérida’s La Plancha

Carlos Rosado van der Gracht
Carlos Rosado van der Gracht
Born in Mérida, Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican/Canadian blogger, photographer and adventure expedition leader. He holds degrees in multimedia, philosophy, and translation from universities in Mexico, Canada and Norway.
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Security is likely to be heavy and disrupt traffic during the president’s visit, so it may be wise to avoid the area. Photo: Courtesy

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Gov. Mauricio Vila Dosal will tour Mérida’s La Plancha later today.

This is the second visit to Yucatán by the president this month to inspect progress on the Mayan Train

Diario de Yucatán reported last May that Yucatán Gov. Mauricio Vila Dosal led a meeting to follow up on the La Plancha project, for which 1.4 billion pesos will be invested to turn the area into a park. 

But the presence of the president, as well as his reputation for changing established plans on a dime has many residents of the area feeling nervous. 

La Plancha is the largest undeveloped parcel in the Centro, and residents feared the open space would be swallowed up by more buildings, or a Mayan Train station. 

Earlier: La Plancha park project moves forward with a huge budget

Though La Plancha was originally set to host Mérida’s Mayan Train station, the idea was allegedly postponed until 2025 due to public backlash. 

Both the president and governor are expected to arrive at La Plancha at 5 p.m. 

As security is likely to be quite tight in the area, and several streets, including Calle 47 are likely to be shut down to traffic. 

The president is also expected to make several other stops during his trip to Yucatán, including a tour of ongoing Tren Maya-related work in Progreso.

The massive project was a campaign promise of the president, who was elected in 2018. 

The rail line is designed to stimulate tourism in the region and contribute to the economic development of southeastern Mexico.

AMLO said on Tuesday the price tag for the flagship infrastructure projects could reach up to the equivalent of US$20 billion, compared with the original $6 billion price tag. But the 910-mile / 1,470-km loop through the Yucatán Peninsula is described by the president as necessary for developing Mexico’s poor south.

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